Barbara Bush Pours Cold Water On Son Jeb’s Presidential Ambitions

WASHINGTON (CBS DC) – Former First Lady Barbara Bush says her son Jeb should think about staying out of presidential politics.

“There’s no question in my mind that Jeb is the best qualified person to run for president, but I hope he won’t,” said Mrs. Bush in a C-SPAN interview that was part of the network’s “First Ladies” series.

Her concern was that along with the instant political support would come the animosity of the enemies of his father George H.W. Bush and his brother George W. Bush.

Mrs. Bush said the focus on American political dynasties, “Kennedys, Clintons, Bushes,” sent the wrong message about the potential for all American children.

“If we can’t find more than two or three families to run for high office, that’s silly, because there are great governors and great eligible people to run,” she said. “I refuse to accept that this great country isn’t raising other wonderful people.”

The former Florida governor seemed to take his mother’s comments in good humor, tweeting, “What date is Mother’s Day this year? Asking for a friend.”